Latest Whitepapers

Start up challenges for Agile Testers

Latest Whitepapers | January 12, 2012

By Leanne Howard
Account Director, Planit Software Testing

ABSTRACT: In this paper I have selected a few of the key considerations that need to be in place in order to set yourself up to succeed with Agile.

Having worked with number of agile teams as a Scrum Master, Product Owner and coach for both internal and client teams, I have noted some common challenges for Testers. I thought that it would be worthwhile to share some of these with you so that you would hopefully not need to share the pain.

Change the mindset
The first, and I think the hardest in most instances, is to change the mindset of the tester. There are distinct patterns of behaviour that are exhibited, often split by the seniority of the tester. Let me try to explain what I mean for those of you that have not seen this happen as drastically as me, for those that have, you will know what I mean.

Is Testing a Profession?

Latest Whitepapers | January 10, 2012

By Leanne Howard
Account Director, Planit Software Testing

ABSTRACT: Do you consider Testing a profession? This paper explores what attributes make a professional tester, and consider what we can do to help promote this.

The Test Professional
I regularly hear this question and I’ll start by stating I absolutely believe it that testing is a profession, and I do indeed consider myself a professional. Anyone who knows me would realise that I have very high standards for myself and believe that the bar should be set high. At the same time I do, however, acknowledge the fact that there are many testers, junior and senior ranks included, for whom the term “Professional” is a very loose interpretation.

On reflecting over history and thinking about which events helped and or hindered the advancement of the concept of a “testing professional”, the single most detrimental event for the professionalism of testing was Y2K. It seemed that anyone, from any walk of life, could effortlessly jump on the money-spinning event, which seemed to epitomise the flurry of activity to prevent a seemingly likely catastrophe, while earning a lot of money. Most people in those days quite frankly had no idea about how to test. Although a lot of those have since left testing, there are some that still remain, broadly grouped together under the ubiquitous term of User Acceptance testers.

Crouching Tester Hidden Defect – A Paper on Where Bugs Hide

Latest Whitepapers | August 3, 2011

By Adam Hughes
Senior Test Consultant, Planit Software Testing

ABSTRACT: Bugs – just how many are there, and where do they hide? This paper looks at some of the different types of software bugs, what can lead to bugs occurring, where they might be hiding in your software, how many there could be, and how they can be found in the most efficient manner.

Wouldn’t it be nice if Testers knew where the bugs were going to be, before they started testing; if they could target certain areas of the code, even before they start designing test cases? Some organisations have a body of bugs that have been discovered on previous projects. Fewer have undertaken causal analysis against those bugs in order to understand their root causes. Fewer still have a catalogue of where each bug occurred, and can use that catalogue to identify where bugs are likely to occur on similar, future projects. A very small number of organisations can confidently predict how many bugs they need to find and fix, before it is safe to “go-live”. For other organisations, it’s a bit of a guess…

Blended Agile

Latest Whitepapers | July 12, 2011

By Leanne Howard
Account Director, Planit Software Testing

ABSTRACT: One methodology, process, or practice does not fit all, adapting to the environment in which you find yourself is what is going to make your testing a success. A mix and match of practices is the best.

I have been reading a lot recently about people getting up in arms about the various Agile frameworks. I have to caveat what I am about to say with the fact that I take a very practical view to Testing and do not have a strong preference for any particular one. I also have a view that if some of the practices from Waterfall, V-model or any of the other methodologies or processes works for you, in the situation in which you find yourself, then use them. The old adage of “IT DEPENDS” I think applies in most instances. Who knows the details of the environment in which you find yourself better than you do?

As you have probably worked out, I am a “who cares?” kind of gal, always willing to buck the system if it proves to be a better way forward. What works for me, works for me. Having said that, please don’t think that I believe that one thing fits all, nor am I afraid to put my hand up and say I don’t know or I don’t understand. In my view, everyone should be learning something new every day if possible. If you don’t try it, you won’t know if it works. Also, if it worked well in one situation, that does not mean that it will work well for all projects or, come to that, work well for a similar project again. There are always some variables that change. I have found the risks or issues which, on first sight seem inconsequential, probably are the ones that you should watch as the big ones, after all, the whole project team is watching.

The Recipe to Success

Latest Whitepapers | February 8, 2011

By Leanne Howard
Account Director, Planit Software Testing

ABSTRACT: This paper compares the similarities between following the Test Process for software development and following a recipe for baking a cake. Advice is offered in regards to choosing recipes, gathering ingredients and using tools to assist in creating a product that meets the standards of the recipe.

I love cooking in my spare time. As I was baking a lovely chocolate cake over the weekend I found that I was comparing the recipe to a Test Process. By making something challenging seem like an everyday activity (at least for me) I hope this paper helps with your understanding. Maybe you will be able to bake a cake next weekend too!

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